The update, rolled for iOS, Android and BlackBerry smartphones, is available without any subscription fees.

"The new release provides unmatched level of privacy and control to BBM users without any subscription fees. Keeping control over the messages and content that they share, BBM users can be ensured that what they share is always theirs to control," Matthew Talbot, senior vice president (BBM) at BlackBerry, said in a statement.

BBM users can now "retract" their message and pictures from recipients to take them back from their phone if they were sent as a mistake or if they no longer wish them to be accessible.

Also, by setting a timer, users can control how long contacts can view messages and pictures that have been shared or communicate their location for only as long as they want to. Some additional key features have been added, including forward messages from one chat to another and ability to mute notifications for a multi-person chat on Android.

There are some important improvements as well. With an update to video sharing features, users can capture and share larger videos on iOS. A new chat screen look and feel on iOS is offered. The BBM will now work on Android Marshmallow (6.0).